Archive for July, 2008

Sorry, thought it had been posted earlier. It is an interesting hire but Ryan does work well with the players. Ryan Tsuji, part of the Hawaii women’s volleyball program the past seven seasons, has been promoted to assistant coach for the upcoming season.Tsuji is replacing associate coach Kari Ambrozich, who is on maternity leave. Ambrozich and husband Eric, a former UH basketball player, welcomed son Trey July 11.“I am very honored and blessed to have this opportunity,” Tsuji told the Star-Bulletin today. “I’m excited to be in a new role and honored that Dave (Rainbow Wahine coach Shoji) would respect me enough to give me this opportunity.”Tsuji (Waiakea ’02) has been the team manager for the past five seasons. Ambrozich will return to help with administrative duties in October and as an active coach next January.“By hiring Ryan, we will go through an easy transition,” Shoji said. “This will be a great opportunity for him.”Hawaii opens camp Aug. 9. The Wahine open the season with defending NCAA champion Penn State Aug. 29.

That’s how someone who has seen both play a lot described T.J. Alofipo, UH’s latest recruiting commitment. He sounds like the real deal. Big, strong, athletic and good speed.

One of his many scholarship offers was from Army, so that makes me assume he’s smart, too.

If UH can also secure commitments from his other highly-regarded teammates at Silverado High School (Henderson, Nev.) — defensive end Keenan Graham and free safety Michael Wadsworth — the Warriors could have a huge head start on rebuilding their defense which will be hit hard by graduation after this year.

Tony Tuioti — the former UH defensive tackle who recently joined the Warriors staff — was the defensive coordinator at Silverado, which played in the state championship game last year.

June Jones’ mediation case for the disputed $400,000 is on the Board of Regents agenda today. But it is an executive session briefing for the regents, meaning there is no public information expected today. I was told by a UH spokesman that there is no announcement expected today, as there is no settlement yet. Stay tuned. UPDATE: After today’s briefing of the BOR, the parties will go back to mediation, a source close to the situation said. There is no timeline for resolution, and arbitration is not imminent. ANOTHER UPDATE: A source close to the situation told the Star-Bulletin that a settlement has been reached. It appears some loose ends need to be tied up before details will be available.

UH athletic director Jim Donovan’s contract is finally done. The $240,000 per year contract at five years has been signed by Donovan and Manoa chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, UH spokesman Gregg Takayama said.

It does not require Board of Regents approval because the salary falls into a pre-approved range.

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At Friday’s BOR meeting, the agenda includes proposed salary adjustments for scores of UH executives. Included are Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano, John McNamara and Carl Clapp. If passed, the proposal would bring their monthly salaries to $7,860, $12,014 and $12,084.

UH defensive line coach Dave Aranda told me tonight that the Warriors still don’t know if end Francis Maka will be available this season or not.

Maka is trying to get an additional year of eligibility via NCAA appeal.

“With Francis it’s still wait-and-see,” Aranda said.

Maka would fit nicely into a defensive end group that starts with John Fonoti and David Veikune. Coach Greg McMackin said Fonoti and Veikune will be expected to play much more this season than last when they rotated, but you never have too many defensive linemen.